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The '''Shang dynasty''' was an era of Chinese history that began in 1600 BC and continued until 1046 BC.<ref>These dates are from the [http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/17161 Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project] (2001). Liu Xin gives 1766–1122 BC, the ''Bamboo Annals'' gives 1556–1046 BC, and ''Cambridge History of Ancient China'' (1999) gives 1570 –1045 BC.</ref> It was preceded by the [[Xia dynasty]] and followed by the [[Zhou dynasty]]. The Shang was China's Bronze Age. Shang casting technique was the finest in the world, and many highly decorated vessels have survived.<ref name=McCurleyShang>McCurley, Dallas L., ”Shang”, ''Encyclopedia of Modern Asia'' (2002).</ref> A large foundry has been unearthed at Miaopubei near Anyang.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

The '''Shang dynasty''' was an era of Chinese history that began in 1600 BC and continued until 1046 BC.<ref>These dates are from the [http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/17161 Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project] (2001). Liu Xin gives 1766–1122 BC, the ''Bamboo Annals'' gives 1556–1046 BC, and ''Cambridge History of Ancient China'' (1999) gives 1570 –1045 BC.</ref> It was preceded by the [[Xia dynasty]] and followed by the [[Zhou dynasty]]. The Shang was China's Bronze Age. Shang casting technique was the finest in the world, and many highly decorated vessels have survived.<ref name=McCurleyShang>McCurley, Dallas L., ”Shang”, ''Encyclopedia of Modern Asia'' (2002).</ref> The establishment of a permanent capital at Anyang in 1300 BC can be viewed as the founding of the first Chinese state. A large foundry has been unearthed at Miaopubei near Anyang.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

Chinese writing first appeared in this period. These were pictographs on bones, shells, and later in bronze. The Shang was the first dynasty to use chariots. Over 500 sites have been classified as culturally Shang, although not necessarily politically. These sites are located, not only in Shang heartland in the central portion of the Yellow River, but all across northern and eastern China.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

Chinese writing first appeared in this period. These were pictographs on bones, shells, and later in bronze. The Shang was the first dynasty to use chariots. Over 500 sites have been classified as culturally Shang, although not necessarily politically. These sites are located, not only in Shang heartland in the central portion of the Yellow River, but all across northern and eastern China.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The Shang religion was a form of shamanism, with divinations made by the king.

{{History of China}}

{{History of China}}

==Early Shang==

==Early Shang==

==Late Shang==

==Late Shang==

After a permanent capital was established at Anyang in 1300 BC, the king began to function more as a ruler and head of an established government. But he continued to tend to divination personally. A proposed divination would be written on a bone. The bones was then heated until stress caused it to crack. The cracks were interpreted by the king as either confirming or denying the divination. Ritual required the king to travel extensively, notably to the four sacred mountains.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

After a permanent capital was established at Anyang in 1300 BC, the king began to function more as a ruler and head of an established government. But he continued to tend to divination personally. A proposed divination would be written on a bone. The bones was then heated until stress caused it to crack. The cracks were interpreted by the king as either confirming or denying the divination. Ritual required the king to travel extensively, including trips to four sacred mountains.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

As writing developed around 1200 BC, only the late Shang can be considered fully historical.<ref>The XSZ Project gives exact years for various events beginning in 1300 BC, with the earlier period described only in general terms. For comparison, note that the standard chronology for Egypt begins with the Third Dynasty in 2750 BC.</ref> Contemporary oracle bone inscriptions establish the sequence of rulers from this point on, so this can be considered the beginning of China's recorded history. The chariot was also introduced at around this time. Like the Xia, the Shang was once thought to be legendary. The excavation of Anyang, begun in 1928, demonstrated that the dynasty is historical. Anyang does not have a wall, which suggests the kings were confident that they could fend off invaders without one.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The royal tombs that have been unearthed suggest that human sacrifice was practiced.<ref>"[http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/treasure-tomb-of-the-warrior-queen/ Treasure Tomb of the Warrior Queen]", ''National Geographic'', 2010.</ref>  

As writing developed around 1200 BC, only the late Shang can be considered fully historical.<ref>The XSZ Project gives exact years for various events beginning in 1300 BC, with the earlier period described only in general terms. For comparison, note that the standard chronology for Egypt begins with the Third Dynasty in 2750 BC.</ref> Contemporary oracle bone inscriptions establish the sequence of rulers from this point on, so this can be considered the beginning of China's recorded history. The chariot was also introduced at around this time. Like the Xia, the Shang was once thought to be legendary. The excavation of Anyang, begun in 1928, demonstrated that the dynasty is historical. Anyang does not have a wall, which suggests the kings were confident that they could fend off invaders without one.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The royal tombs that have been unearthed suggest that human sacrifice was practiced.<ref>"[http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/treasure-tomb-of-the-warrior-queen/ Treasure Tomb of the Warrior Queen]", ''National Geographic'', 2010.</ref>